Sailing: Opportunity To Join Clipper Race Crew
A Bermudian will get the opportunity of a lifetime as an “ambassador crew” aboard Bermuda’s debut team entry in the Clipper 2019–20 Round the World Yacht Race.
Bermuda is a Host Port and Team Partner for the 40,000-nautical-mile sailing race, now underway as 11 Clipper 70 ocean-racing yachts cross the Atlantic in the first leg from Portugal to Uruguay. Under the Clipper Race partnership, the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] is offering a local resident the chance to compete in the final Leg 8 next summer as crew aboard GoToBermuda.
Clipper Race representatives met with the BTA team during a Bermuda site visit this month. Mark Light, Race Director for Clipper Race; Rosemary Jones, BTA Director of Corporate Communications & Strategy; Alex Lukic, Partnerships Account Manager, Clipper Race; Laura Ayres, Head of Partnerships, Clipper Race; BTA Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Victoria Isley; BTA CEO Kevin Dallas; Karla Graves, Head of Communications, Clipper Race; Hazel Clark, BTA Director of Sports Business Development
Applications are now open and should be submitted to clipper@bermudatourism.com by Thursday, October 10, 2019.
The selected candidate will join GoToBermuda in New York next June 22, racing first to the island by early July 2020, then to Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland July 9 and on to the grand finale in London August 8. View map of whole race route here.
“It will be a very challenging, but incredible adventure—and a fantastic opportunity for a Bermudian to wave the flag for our island,” said BTA CEO Kevin Dallas.
“We are reaching out to the public at large to invite anyone to apply who feels they have the qualities needed to be a team player and represent Bermuda far and wide.”
Crew aboard GoToBermuda as the yacht arrived in Portimão, Portugal this month
The BTA is working with the Clipper Race and numerous local organisations—including sailing clubs, the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, Endeavour Programme, Bermuda Sea Cadets, Raleigh Bermuda, Outward Bound, the Bermuda Police Service and Royal Bermuda Regiment—to identify individuals who have what it takes to participate on the trans-Atlantic voyage.
Candidates must be 18 or older—and while sailing experience is a plus, it is not necessary.
“Crew need to be team players, willing to roll up their sleeves and tackle any task required, on deck or below deck,” said Clipper Race Crew Recruitment Director Della Parsons, adding Clipper Race teams are made up of a professional skipper and mate, and crew from all over the globe.
“Everyone is trained to do all duties in a watch system around the clock, and living conditions are fairly basic. Crew also need to be reasonably fit because the race will be demanding, as will the four weeks of training.”
Bermuda’s entry in the Clipper 2019–20 Round the World Yacht Race, GoToBermuda
The successful crew member must undergo four levels of rigorous training in the UK this November: [Level 1] Nov 8–14; [Level 2] Nov 16–21; [Level 3] Nov 25–30; [Level 4] Dec 3–9. Dates for the Leg 8 race are: June 22, 2020 [joining in New York] to August 8 [race finish in London].
The BTA will cover the cost of the crew member’s entry fee, travel, and accommodation costs, along with medical insurance, visas, and any additional needed kit supplies.
Clipper Race representatives made a site visit to Bermuda last week, meeting BTA team members and touring the City of Hamilton, including the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club [RBYC], where the race fleet will be berthed during its stopover.
Hamilton is one of 15 host ports, along with Portimão, Portugal; Cape Town, South Africa; Fremantle, Australia; and Qingdao, China.
Race 1: London to Portimão | Clipper 2019-20 Race
“We received a warm welcome from everyone, so our crew have lots to look forward to on their visit next year,” said Laura Ayres, Clipper Race Head of Partnerships.
“Bermuda has a vivid sailing heritage and a wealth of knowledge in hosting high-profile events, so we know we are in good hands with the BTA. And our partnership with Bermuda goes beyond the stopover in July 2020. Over the course of 11 months, the diverse crew on the GoToBermuda team will be flying their adopted country’s flag as they sail around the world, acting as ambassadors for this world-class destination.”
For more information on becoming a crew ambassador, view the Clipper Race brochure or contact BTA at 279-6652 or clipper@bermudatourism.com
